Current junior aiming for Brown PLME –– Chance Me

WayOutWestMom
Sun, 26 Feb 2023 03:34:42 +0000

There are some major down sides to MD/PhD programs-aside from being extremely competitive to get accepted into.

The combined MD/Phd program is 8 years long–which means 8 years while the interest on your undergrad loans will be accruing. Research track residencies (which MD/PhDs typically match into) tack on an additional 2-3 research years to the normal residency length–so instead of 4 years of psychiatric residency, you’re looking at. 6-7 years-- during which the interest on your undergrad loans will be accruing. Additionally, MD/PhDs in every specialty typically pursue a research fellowship–so add another 2-4 years to your training.

Academic medicine pays substantially less than private practice. Conservatively MD/PhDs earn several million dollars less over a career than a regular MD. (This includes opportunity costs for. all the extra years. that you’re not earning a physician’s salary due extended time in med school/residency/fellowship. Plus the extended time will skyrocket the interest on your student loans.)

And if you want to practice patient-centered medicine, then a MD/PhD is the wrong choice since research track academic physicians typically have.an 80-20 split between research (80%) and consulting on patients (20%).